Fitting Device, Arrangement and Method

ABSTRACT

A push-to-connect fitting assembly, device and method allows for continual contact of inserted tubing with a main body member so as to maintain conductivity for electrical applications and a tight, rotation-restricting seal. In various embodiments, an axially internal portion of the device has an interior surface that tapers from a narrower radius to a wider radius as it extends outwardly from a tube stop element to an outer rim.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to piping conduits, and more particularlyto a push-to-connect fitting device, arrangement and method thatfacilitates the connection of piping and tubing system parts.

BACKGROUND ART

Piping systems exist to facilitate the flow of fluids (e.g., liquid, gas(such as air) or plasma), contain contents internally and provide otherfunctions. For example, piping systems can include conduits thatmaintain electrical wiring, effectively bundling and containing wiringwithin a confined and protected area, so that the inserted wires can becollectively transported, shielded and joined from one point to another.In many instances, one of the end points for the conduit is anelectrical box.

Conduits or piping connections for managing loose wires are generallytube-shaped elements with a hollow interior for permitting wiring topass through. Such conduits are useful in properly protecting the wiresand cables contained therein. If unprotected, the loose wires and/orcables can be damaged, cut (such as against a metal edge of theelectrical box opening) and can potentially cause a short circuit,shock, or fire. While code regulations exist to help prevent theseproblems, various installations may not meet code requirements. Whentraditional conduits are positioned within an electrical box opening,they may be unsecured, or possibly secured through a basic form ofattachment such as a threaded engagement. Further, problems can arisewhen conductivity is not maintained between an inserted piping elementand a ground connection. Electrical conduits can be made of metal,fiber, plastic and other materials. Non-metal conduit materials, such asPVC, are typically less expensive and lighter in weight.

In recent years, push-fit technology has been employed with pipingsystems, and particularly with plumbing systems, to reduce the dangersand time involved in soldering joints and other connection methods.Push-fit methods require minimal knowledge of pipe fittings and involvefar fewer materials than soldering. For example, one may only need thepipes, quick-connect fittings, a chamfer/de-burring tool and tubingcutter in order to connect pipes using push-fit technology. The stepsinvolved in connecting piping systems using push-fit technology can beoutlined as follows. First, the pipe is cut to the appropriate lengthand the end of the pipe is cleaned with the de-burring tool. Then thepipe and fitting are pushed together for connection. The fitting isprovided with a fastening ring (also called a collet, grip ring or grabring) having teeth that grip the pipe as it is inserted. The fasteningring device is employed to provide opposing energy, preventing thedevice from disconnection while creating a positive seal. Accordingly,no wrenches, clamping, gluing or soldering is involved. Push-fit and/orquick-connect technology for piping systems can be obtained, forexample, through Quick Fitting, Inc. of Warwick, R.I., USA, suppliers ofthe CoPro®, ProBite®, LocJaw™, BlueHawk™, CopperHead® and Push Connect®lines of push fittings and related products. Also, such technology isdescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,862,089, 7,942,161,8,205,915, 8,210,576, 8,398,122, 8,480,134, 8,844,974, 8,844,981,9,068,680, and 9,217,529, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY OF ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to, in part, a push-to-connect fittingdevice, arrangement and method that facilitates management of multiplewires, cables and/or connections in electrical environments in a mannerthat meets requirements, saves time for professionals and can maintainconductivity to a ground connection. Embodiments of the presentdisclosure require no coining and can connect piping elements withoutglue and/or ultrasonic welding. In addition to electrical environments,embodiments of the present disclosure can also be employed withirrigation and other fluid flow environments.

In various embodiments, a conduit device according to the presentdisclosure includes an interior surface adapted to securely retain apacking arrangement comprising at least one sealing ring, a spacer glandand a grip ring. The packing arrangement can further include a tubesupport member and a release pusher. Among other things, it will beappreciated that embodiments disclosed herein assist production effortsby eliminating the time required for creating multiple molds associatedwith other push-to-connect technologies.

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “tube”, “pipe”,“piping”, “conduit”, “conduit element” or “piping element” will beunderstood to encompass one or more pipes, tubes, conduits, pipingelements and/or tubing elements, and may be used interchangeably.Further, for purposes of the present disclosure, a fitting can encompassa valve member and other piping elements including, but not limited to:a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a tee joint, a stop end, a ball valvemember, tubing and other objects having substantially cylindricalopenings. Further, for purposes of the present disclosure, a fitting(also referred to as a body member or main body component) can encompassa valve member and other piping elements including, but not limited to:a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a tee joint, a stop end, a ball valvemember, tubing and other objects having cylindrical openings. In variousembodiments, the fitting includes an axially inner portion having aninterior radius that increases from a tube stop to an axially outer rimof the axially inner portion. In various embodiments, one or moresealing member gasket inserts (e.g., O-ring members) fit within a firstsealing ring compartment defined in the interior surface of the fitting.In addition, at each pipe receiving end of the fitting, a tube supportmember compartment is machined into the interior to retain at least aportion of the packing arrangement. The fitting interior is formed toprovide integrated support for the sealing member(s) and fastening ringwhen opposing force is applied to piping elements that have beeninserted into the fitting. In various embodiments, a tube support memberis employed to provide additional support for the fastening ring and tocooperate with an optional release pusher to facilitate connection anddisconnection of piping elements. Other methods, devices andarrangements associated with the present disclosure are describedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of one embodiment of afitting assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a fitting inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 2 withinserted fitting elements and an inserted piping element.

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of encircled portion 4-4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of afitting in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the push-to-connect fitting assembly 10 according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, elements of theassembly as shown include: a fitting (i.e., fitting body member or mainbody component) 12 having an interior surface 13 and exterior surface15, a fastening ring 18, one or more sealing members 16 (which canoptionally be lubricated), a sealing ring support member 20, and a tubesupport member 22. In various embodiments, the fitting interior surface13 is formed via forging and/or machining and is not coined. Thefastening ring 18 and sealing member 16 together provide one embodimentof a packing arrangement 21 disclosed herein, and each has an internaldiameter that allows for smooth and snug engagement of a piping ortubing element external surface 35 (shown in FIG. 3) when inserted intothe opening 55 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 5), which is defined by the fittinginterior surface 13 and extends axially therethrough along axis 25. Inone embodiment, the interior diameters of the fastening ring 18 (asmeasured to the teeth 19 and not the ring cylindrical base 17) andsealing member 16 are substantially the same. Further, the interiordiameters of the fastening ring 18 and sealing member 16 are slightlyless than that of the fitting 12 so as to facilitate proper operation ofthe presently disclosed device and arrangement. Optionally, a releasepusher (not shown) can be provided to facilitate the release of tubing,piping and other cylindrical objects (e.g., 33) inserted into thefitting 12. When it is desired to release an inserted pipe, for example,from the fitting, the release pusher can be forced in the direction ofthe fastening ring such that its angular surfaces depress the fasteningring teeth off of the surface of the inserted pipe, thereby allowing thepipe to be removed. In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,no release pusher is provided or required, and the packing arrangement21 is thus permanently maintained within the fitting body component 12.Details surrounding the packing arrangement 21 and internal elements 16,18, 20 and 22, including the optional release pusher can be found, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,322,496 to Crompton et al., the disclosureof which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the main body component 12includes first 30 and second 31 segments, divided by a tube stop 29. Thetube stop 29 extends radially inwardly of the inner surface 13 in orderto provide a stopping surface for inserted tubes and pipes. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, no tube stop 29 is provided. However, thetapered internal surface 13 at the axially inner portion 32 of thefitting 12 provides an effective stopping surface for inserted tubes andpipes, without the need for a tube stop as in FIG. 2. Each of the first30 and second 31 segments includes an axially inner portion 32, anaxially intermediate portion 34 and an axially outer portion 36, withthe axially inner portion 32, axially intermediate portion 34 andaxially outer portion 36 being integrally formed and each having arespective interior wall 42, 44, 46 and exterior wall 52, 54, 56. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 5, axially inner portion 32 has an interior radiusR2. Axially intermediate portion 34 has an interior radius R3 and/or R4.Axially outer portion 36 has an interior radius R5. In variousembodiments, the interior radius R3 and/or R4 of the axiallyintermediate portion 34 is larger than the interior radius R2 of theaxially inner portion 32, and the interior radius R5 of the axiallyouter portion 36 is larger than the interior radius R2 of the axiallyinner portion 32 and the interior radius R3 and/or R4 of the axiallyintermediate portion 34. In this way, and among other things, a greatersized opening is provided at the pipe or tubing entry area 55 on thefitting 12 and a tighter opening is provided within the axially innerportion 32. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the interior radius R2 ofthe axially inner portion is tapered from a narrower diameter B to awider diameter C. In various embodiments, the axially internal diameterB is smaller than the diameter D (see FIG. 2) of the pipe 33 to beinserted in the opening 55, and the axially external diameter C islarger than the diameter D of the pipe to be inserted in the opening 55.In this way, the pipe or tubing 33 makes continual contact with theinner surface 13 at the axially inner portion 32 of the main bodycomponent 12, and is slightly compressed upon reaching the tube stop 29(in FIG. 2) or the radially and axially innermost center point 59 ofaxially interior wall 42 (in FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 5, the centerpoint 59 is the radially innermost point of the interior surface 13. Assuch, the pipe 33 maintains conductivity with the ground via main bodycomponent 12 from the point where the pipe 33 initially makes contactwith the interior surface 13 to the point where the pipe 33 is fullyinserted up to the tube stop 29 or center point 59. Further, rotation ofthe inserted pipe 33 is prevented and/or strongly resisted by beingsecured within the narrower axially inner portion 32 of the main bodycomponent 12.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the axially outer portion 36 ofthe first segment 30 terminates in an axially outer rim 38 that extendsradially inwardly from the interior wall 46. In various embodiments, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the axially outer rim 38 has an internal radiusR1 that is substantially the same as the axially intermediate portioninternal radius R3 or R4. In various other embodiments, the radiallyinner edge 39 of the axially outer rim 38 is sloped such that the radiusvaries from a shorter size at the axially inner edge 40 of the radiallyinner edge 39 to a longer size at the axially outer edge 41 of theradially inner edge 39 of the axially outer rim 38. In this way, theopening formed by the inner edge 39 for a pipe or tubing element to beinserted is more receptive to insertion angles of a pipe or tubingelement that may not be perfectly aligned with the axis 25.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the axially intermediate portion34 can be provided with a radial step 43 extending radially inwardlysuch that the axially intermediate portion 34 includes a first interiorwall portion 44A having an internal radius R3 and a second interior wallportion 44B having an internal radius R4, where the portions 44A and 44Bare separated by the radial step 43. As described elsewhere herein, theradial step 43 assists in providing an engaging surface for the sealingring support member 20 as part of the packing arrangement 21 provided inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4, a sealing ring 16 is maintained against ledge 51 andwithin the first interior wall portion 44A of the axially intermediateportion 34 of the main body component 12, and a sealing ring supportmember 20 is maintained partially within the first interior wall portion44A and partially within the second interior wall portion 44B of theaxially intermediate portion 34 of the main body component 12. Invarious embodiments, a second 0-ring or sealing ring can be positionedadjacent the first sealing ring 16. Further, in various embodiments, thesealing ring support member 20 includes a notch cut-out 27 for engagingthe radial step 43 to provide stabilizing support to the packingarrangement.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, for example, the tube support member 22is maintained against rim 38 and partially against the interior surface46 of the main body component 12 and partially against the interiorsurface 44 at the axially intermediate portion 34 of the main bodycomponent 12. In various embodiments, the tube support member 22 cancomprise a spring steel formulation, and can be provided as a unitary,unsplit member or can be provided with a split similar to the embodimentof the fastening ring described elsewhere herein.

A fastening ring 18 is maintained within the second interior wallportion 44B of the axially intermediate portion 34 of the main bodycomponent 12, with the fastening ring base 17 being held between anaxially inner edge 60 of the tube support member 22 and an axially outeredge 62 of the sealing ring support member 20. The fastening ring 18,which can be an integral, unsplit ring or can be a split ring member,has a substantially circumferential base 17 with teeth 19 extendingradially inwardly therefrom. In the embodiments where the fastening ringis a split ring, the fastening ring can include two circumferential endpoints (not shown) that do not connect, with fixture points for handlingand compressing the fastening ring, such that a tool designed to holdthe fastening ring at the fixture points can more easily handle andcompress the fastening ring in order to assist with assembly ordisassembly of embodiments disclosed herein. In this embodiment, andonce compressed, the fastening ring is easily insertable into thefitting 12 by releasing the hold on the fixture points, thereby allowingthe fastening ring to expand such that the circumferential base engagesthe walls of the second radial housing element. The fastening can beremoved from the second radial housing element in similar manner. Nowrenches, solder, welding, glue and/or twisting and turning the elementsare required to form or disengage a connection.

The fastening ring 18 can comprise a spring steel formulation, forexample, that enables the fastening ring to be malformed duringinstallation, while springing back into its originally manufacturedposition once installed. The fastening ring is capable of grabbing aninserted pipe's surface via two or more teeth 19 to ensure connectionscannot be pulled apart. The fastening ring teeth are angled downwardfrom the substantially cylindrical perimeter of the ring, toward theaxially inner portion 32 and away from the axially external portion 36,such that when a pipe is inserted, the teeth exert a pressure againstthe pipe to discourage the pipe from slipping or moving back out of thefitting. No wrenches, solder, welding, glue and/or twisting and turningthe elements are required to form a connection. Specifically, thecombination of the fastening ring, the O-ring support member, the tubesupport member and optional release pusher provide a push-fit pipingassembly when inserted into any cylindrical pipe fitting in accordancewith embodiments disclosed herein. The teeth 19 of the fastening ring 18can extend at various angles from the base axis as measured when theteeth are at rest position and are not stressed by the insertion of apipe, for example. The number of teeth can readily vary in number andsize.

In one embodiment, the fitting 12 can be forged CW617N brass, with fullporting and full flow fitting, for example. The lubricant for thesealing members 16 can be a food grade lubricant, for example. It willbe appreciated that the sealing members 16 can comprise a flat ring orwasher-type seal member in addition or as an alternative to a circularmember of substantially circular cross-section. As shown in FIG. 4, thesealing ring support member 20 has an axially inner edge 64 that acts asa sealing member-engaging surface and an axially outer edge 62 that actsas a fastening ring-engaging surface. The sealing ring support member 20can be comprised of metal or plastic, for example.

In operation, the main body component 12 is formed with the taperedaxially inner segment 42 and compartments as described above, and one ormore sealing members 16 are inserted into the axially intermediateportion 34 of the main body component 12 and retained against the firstinterior wall portion 44A thereof. Next, the sealing ring support member20 is inserted so as to fit snugly within the axially intermediateportion 34 of the main body component 12, and retained against the first44A and second 44B interior wall portions. The support member 20 abutsthe sealing ring member 16, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Thefastening ring 18 is then inserted such that its base 17 is securelyretained against the second interior wall portion 44B of the axiallyintermediate portion 34 of the main body component 12, and the base isfurther securely retained between the sealing ring support member 20 andthe tube support member 22. The tube support member 20 is inserted so asto be retained in the axially outer portion 36 and the second interiorwall portion 44B of the axially intermediate portion 34 of the main bodycomponent, as well as against the inner surface of the outer rim 38 ofthe main body component 12. In embodiments with the optional releasepusher, the release pusher can then be inserted so as to slidinglyengage the radially inner wall of the tube support member 20.

When a pipe 33 is inserted, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it travels overthe tube support member 20 into the pipe receiving cavity 55 of the mainbody component 12, engaging the fastening ring 18 and the sealing member16. As the pipe 33 is fully inserted (i.e., when the leading edge 65 ofthe pipe contacts tube stop 29 in FIG. 2, or point 59 in FIG. 5), theteeth 19 of the fastening ring 18 engage the outer surface 35 of theinserted pipe 33 and the narrower axially inner end of the axially innerportion 42 compresses the outer surface 35 of the pipe 33 in order toretain the pipe 33 securely within the main body component 12. Invarious embodiments, the piping element 33 has an outer diameter D thatis larger than the internal diameter of the interior surface 13 of theaxially inner portion 42 of the first segment 30, primarily closer tothe tube stop 29 or point 59 as the axially inner portion narrows indiameter. In particular embodiments, the piping element outer diameter Dis at least 0.002 inches larger than the internal diameter of theinterior surface 13 of the axially inner portion 42 of the first segment30 at or near the tube stop 29 (FIG. 2) or point 59 (FIG. 5). Thesealing member 18 helps to provide a strong, leak-free seal and thecombination of the sealing ring support member 20, the fastening ring18, the tube support member 22 and the narrower internal cavity of theaxially inner portion 42 of the main body component 12 prohibit anyinclination an inserted pipe may have to slide out of position.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the axiallyinner portion 42 extends from the tube stop 29 to an axially outer rim74 of the axially inner portion 42, wherein the interior radius R2 ofthe axially inner portion 42 increases from the tube stop 29 to theaxially outer rim 74 of the axially inner portion 42. In variousembodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the axially inner portion42 extends from the axially and radially inner point 59 to an axiallyouter rim 74 of the axially inner portion 42, wherein the interiorradius R2 of the axially inner portion 42 increases from the point 59 tothe axially outer rim 74 of the axially inner portion 42.

In various embodiments, the interior surface 13 of the axially innerportion 42 extends at an acute angle E to the axis 25 from the tube stop29 in FIG. 2 or point 59 in FIG. 5 to the axially outer rim 74 of theaxially inner portion 42. In various embodiments, the acute angle E isfrom approximately 0.005 degrees to approximately twenty degrees. Inspecific embodiments, the acute angle E is from approximately 0.005degrees to approximately five degrees. By employing angles within theranges described, the device ensures adequate contact with the insertedpipe for grounding, while also ensuring the ability to maintain apush-connect operation with the fitting packing arrangement and ensuringthat the inserted piping element cannot be rotated when fully inserted.Thus, the tapered interior as described herein facilitates severalimportant purposes. In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,the ledge 51 extends radially outwardly from the axially outer rim 74 ofthe axially inner portion 42 of the first segment 30 to the axiallyintermediate portion 44 of the first segment 30. Additionally, theinterior surface 13 further comprises a ramp 53 extending axially andradially inwardly from the ledge 51 to the axially outer rim 74.

It will be appreciated that the main body component 12 can act as acoupling with the first 30 and second 31 segments largely being mirrorimages of one another. In such embodiments, the axially inner portion ofthe second segment extends from the tube stop to an axially outer rim,and the interior radius of the axially inner portion of the secondsegment increases from the tube stop to the axially outer rim.

The angles, dimensions and materials described herein will be understoodto be exemplary and provided as embodiments associated with properworking operation of the device, assembly and method as presentlydisclosed. Further, it will be appreciated that, in various embodiments,the members of the push connect joint assembly can be formed throughhydroforming processes. Additionally, embodiments can be providedwhereby the fitting and/or main body component includes independentpacking arrangements on both sides of the tube stop 29 or point 59,where the packing arrangements each comprise at least one of thefollowing: sealing ring, sealing ring support member, fastening ring,tube support member, release pusher, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, forexample.

The device, assembly and method as presently disclosed may be embodiedin other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, thescope of the invention being indicated by the claims of the applicationrather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are thereforeintended to be embraced therein.

1. A fitting, comprising: a main body component comprising an interiorsurface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface defines acavity extending along an axis through the main body component, whereinthe main body component further comprises a first segment having anaxially inner portion, an axially intermediate portion and an axiallyouter portion, with the axially inner portion, axially intermediateportion and axially outer portion of the first segment being integrallyformed, wherein the main body component further comprises a tube stopextending radially inwardly from the interior surface into the cavity,wherein the tube stop comprises an axially extending wall and first andsecond radially extending walls, and wherein the interior surfaceextends at an acute angle to the axis from the first radially extendingwall of the tube stop to an axially outer rim of the axially innerportion of the first segment of the main body component, whereby apiping element inserted into the cavity can slidingly contact theinterior surface from the axially outer rim of the axially inner portionof the first segment to the tube stop.
 2. The fitting of claim 1,wherein the tube stop is integrally formed with the main body component.3. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the interior radius of the axiallyintermediate portion is larger than the interior radius of the axiallyinner portion.
 4. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the interior radius ofthe axially outer portion is larger than the interior radius of theaxially intermediate portion.
 5. The fitting of claim 1, wherein theinterior radius of the axially intermediate portion is larger than theinterior radius of the axially inner portion, and wherein the interiorradius of the axially outer portion is larger than the interior radiusof the axially inner portion and the interior radius of the axiallyintermediate portion.
 6. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the interiorsurface comprises a ledge extending radially outwardly from the axiallyouter rim of the axially inner portion to the axially intermediateportion.
 7. The fitting of claim 6, wherein the interior surface furthercomprises a ramp extending axially and radially inwardly from the ledgeto the axially outer rim.
 8. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the axiallyintermediate portion includes a radial step extending radially inwardlysuch that the axially intermediate portion includes a first interiorsurface portion and a second interior surface portion separated by theradial step.
 9. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the interior surface ofthe main body component has an internal diameter, and wherein the pipingelement has an outer diameter that is larger than the internal diameterof the interior surface of the axially inner portion of the firstsegment.
 10. A fitting, comprising: a main body component comprising aninterior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surfacedefines a cavity extending along an axis through the main bodycomponent, wherein the main body component further comprises a firstsegment and a second segment each having an axially inner portion, anaxially intermediate portion and an axially outer portion, with theaxially inner portion, axially intermediate portion and axially outerportion being integrally formed and each comprising a respectiveinterior radius from the axis to the interior surface, and wherein theinterior radius of the axially inner portion increases from a radiallyinnermost point to an axially outer rim of the axially inner portion ofthe main body component, and the interior surface of the axially innerportion extends at an acute angle to the axis from the radiallyinnermost point to the axially outer rim, and the interior surface ofthe first segment and the interior surface of the second segment connecteach other at the radially innermost point such that two piping elementscan be respectively secured within the first segment and the secondsegment of the main body component so as to abut the radially innermostpoint.
 11. The fitting of claim 10, wherein the interior radius of theaxially intermediate portion is larger than the interior radius of theaxially inner portion.
 12. The fitting of claim 10, wherein the interiorradius of the axially outer portion is larger than the interior radiusof the axially intermediate portion.
 13. The fitting of claim 10,wherein the interior radius of the axially intermediate portion islarger than the interior radius of the axially inner portion, andwherein the interior radius of the axially outer portion is larger thanthe interior radius of the axially inner portion and the interior radiusof the axially intermediate portion.
 14. The fitting of claim 10,wherein the interior surface comprises a ledge extending radiallyoutwardly from the axially outer rim of the axially inner portion to theaxially intermediate portion.
 15. The fitting of claim 14, wherein theinterior surface further comprises a ramp extending axially and radiallyinwardly from the ledge to the axially outer rim.
 16. The fitting ofclaim 10, wherein the axially intermediate portion includes a radialstep extending radially inwardly such that the axially intermediateportion includes a first interior surface portion and a second interiorsurface portion separated by the radial step.
 17. The fitting of claim10, wherein the interior surface of the main body component has aninternal diameter, and wherein each of the piping elements has an outerdiameter that is larger than the internal diameter of the interiorsurface of the axially inner portion.
 18. A fitting, comprising: a mainbody component comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface,wherein the interior surface defines a cavity extending along an axisthrough the main body component, wherein the main body component furthercomprises a first segment having an axially inner portion, an axiallyintermediate portion and an axially outer portion, with the axiallyinner portion, axially intermediate portion and axially outer portion ofthe first segment being integrally formed, wherein the interior surfaceextends at an acute angle to the axis from a radially innermost point ofthe interior surface to an axially outer rim of the axially innerportion of the first segment of the main body component, whereby apiping element inserted into the cavity can slidingly contact theinterior surface from the axially outer rim of the axially inner portionof the first segment to the radially innermost point of the interiorsurface.